Skip to main content
Loading...
Learning How to Learn
sgrainger

I’ve had numerous conversations with TCS alumni who have shared something along the lines of, “I learned how to learn at TCS.” It’s incredibly reassuring and

Read More
Last Out of the Taxi
sgrainger

My father is one of the most generous people I know. A friend once described him as the kind of man who’s “last out of the taxi and first to the bill”— someone

Read More
The State of Kids Today
sgrainger

I have been known to say that kids are nicer and kinder today than they were in my day. I have certainly found this to be the case when I compare the

Read More
Cell Phones Could be Today’s Cigarettes
sgrainger

The first time I heard someone suggest that cell phones are the new nicotine, I thought it was an exaggeration. But, over time, it has started to feel like a

Read More
TCS Fun Facts
sgrainger

Over the course of any academic year, I am frequently asked questions about the special community that is Trinity College School. I thought that I would share

Read More
A New Perspective
sgrainger

We have all had experiences, relationships or conversations that, given the opportunity, we would love to have started differently.The advantage of writing

Read More
The Last Exam
sgrainger

I don't specifically remember writing my last high school examination. But, just a few days ago, I watched over 100 members of the graduating class of 2024

Read More
But, ya gotta have friends!
sgrainger

Of all the benefits of being a graduate of Trinity College School, one of the biggest advantages is gaining lifelong friendships. I have heard this many times

Read More
Chew and Chats have returned! Part 2
sgrainger

Part 2 of a 2-part blog seriesLast week, I wrote about the reintroduction of “Chew and Chats” with the graduating class. Click here if you would like to read

Read More
Chew and Chats have returned!
sgrainger

Part 1 of a 2-part blog seriesFor approximately 15 years, towards the end of each academic year, I would invite the members of the graduating class to meet

Read More
Still Rock’n
sgrainger

I used to visit my grandmother in Wolverhampton, England when I was a little kid. Her favourite spot in her “wee” house was knitting with a blanket on her lap

Read More
Decade of Discovery: How Teaching AP Capstone Inspired a Researcher
sgrainger

This week, Mr. Myke Healy reflects on the inspiring work of our Grade 12 AP Research students. At TCS since 2004, Mr. Healy is the assistant head of Senior

Read More
Reflecting on Graduation: A Timeless Milestone
sgrainger

As May unfolds, so does the anticipation of one of life's significant junctures for many – graduation. For me, it's reminiscent of the excitement and

Read More
Arts Week!
sgrainger

This week, the halls of TCS were alive with creativity and talent as we celebrated our annual Arts Week, a vibrant showcase of the unique talents and passions

Read More
Back to the books
sgrainger

I am very biased, but I think that TCS has one of the best librarians in the world.In support of this statement, TCS Senior School librarian, Shelagh Straughan

Read More
University Acceptance: Not a sliding door moment
sgrainger

Back in my day, I don’t remember there being a great deal of time allotted to researching, visiting and, generally, due diligence before selecting or applying

Read More
Reflections on three iconic teachers in my life
sgrainger

Last week, I wrote about life’s happy and sad happenings seemingly arriving clustered in threes. I chose to focus on three positive things that occur in the

Read More
Embracing the Power of Threes: A Tribute to the Trinity Term
sgrainger

Growing up, my mother often reminded me that "everything comes in threes," a mantra that resonated with both the highs and lows of life. But today, I will

Read More
Eclipses. Umbras. And other incredible happenings.
sgrainger

As the date of the upcoming total solar eclipse approaches (April 8th), there’s some anticipation locally for those in Port Hope as our area falls in the path

Read More
Flowers
sgrainger

When I was in Grade 9, I wrote my first and last poem. It was called Flowers.If I think back to my younger self, the point of my poem was to emphasize that a

Read More
By the numbers
sgrainger

Last week, my blog delved into the significance of Parent-Teacher Meetings, emphasizing their value at TCS in fostering collaboration between parents and

Read More
The Triangle
sgrainger

This week we have hosted Senior School Parent-Teacher Meetings. These meetings are pivotal moments where TCS faculty and parents have an opportunity to come

Read More
Life spans
sgrainger

The combination of watching Joni Mitchell (aged 80) perform her well-loved song Both Sides Now at the Grammys, and visiting my father (aged 92) in Ottawa this

Read More
Halfway there!
sgrainger

This past week, on January 19th, we marked the midpoint of the 2023-2024 academic year at TCS, signifying a pivotal moment in the journey of your incredible

Read More
What is a CAIS? And why should it be important to you as a parent?
sgrainger

CAIS Accreditation Peer Review Team photo credit: Brentwood College SchoolThis week, I had the privilege of participating in a peer review team affiliated with

Read More
Success: Luck and doing things you don’t want to do
sgrainger

As parents, we find ourselves in the challenging position of helping to guide our kids towards a successful and fulfilling future. With the ever-evolving

Read More
A Fresh Start
sgrainger

The start of a new year brings with it a sense of renewal and the opportunity for positive change. For elementary and high school kids, embracing the spirit of

Read More
Pause to reflect, appreciate and enjoy
sgrainger

The last day of school in the calendar year offers a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation. But, before we bid adieu to our active lives on campus and

Read More
Why Week Without Walls?
sgrainger

Last week our Senior School students and adults were engaged in the 13th edition of our Week Without Walls service learning initiative. Week Without Walls

Read More
Lifelong connections
sgrainger

One of the special aspects about Trinity College School is that graduation is not a finish line. To be more specific, a student’s association with TCS does not

Read More
The Oxford Cup. Why?
sgrainger

On Saturday, November 18th, hundreds of students, staff, parents, alumni and friends of TCS ran the Oxford Cup, a footrace that dates back to 1896. Five

Read More
The Purpose of Education
sgrainger

Part 2 of a 2-part blog seriesLast week, thanks to a coincidental and interesting combination of a re-reading of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and

Read More
What is the purpose of education?
sgrainger

Part 1 of a 2-part blog series The “Five Ws” (who, what, when, where, why) are still one of the best methods to explore the significance of just about any

Read More
We lost but I couldn’t be more proud
sgrainger

Winning in a closely contested sport is fun, at any level and in any sport. TCS has won a lot of tournaments and championships over the years. We have the

Read More
Our school’s modern culture of philanthropy
sgrainger

This week, Mr. Doug Mann discusses the generations of support that TCS, and its students, have directly benefitted from. At TCS since 2007, Mr. Mann is TCS’s

Read More
Let’s talk
sgrainger

Several years ago, on a Monday morning in chapel, I asked the entire student body how many of them read the newspaper in the morning before the start of school

Read More
The days are long but the years are short
sgrainger

If you have read my blog over the years, you will know my favourite expression to describe parenting is the heading for my blog this week: “The days are long

Read More
You’ve got a friend in me
sgrainger

I realize that my reading audience for this blog is primarily adults. So it might seem peculiar that I am referencing the movie theme song from Toy Story 

Read More
The difference between a job and a vocation
sgrainger

On September 30th, the School hosted a memorial service for John Anthony Mervyn (Tony) Prower. Tony was 95 when he passed away peacefully earlier this year, on

Read More
I am proud of you
sgrainger

Our full school participation in the Terry Fox Run last week was another important and proud moment for me at the School. My high school graduation quote

Read More
Care more
sgrainger

When my kids were young, there was one expression that they would say that would irk me more than any others: “I don’t care.” I fully accept that, at times, we

Read More
Bravo, parents! Bravo!
sgrainger

It is hard to match the excitement and nervous energy of the first day and first week of school. This is particularly so for parents when it’s their child’s

Read More
Great Beginnings!
sgrainger

I sat down earlier this week to write a blog post about the start of the academic year. While this is an annual exercise, a new thought popped into my head

Read More
Bittersweet Defined: Graduation Day
sgrainger

I remember moments of my high school graduation day very clearly. I am not saying, by any means, that it “feels like yesterday!” Because it doesn’t. However, I

Read More
Purposely creating powerful moments
sgrainger

This week, Mrs. Jennifer Reid discusses the beauty of prompting moments that resonate. At TCS since 2000, Mrs. Reid is the head of Junior School. Written by

Read More
Gratitude for life’s accomplishments
sgrainger

At Trinity College School, our mission is to launch young people into the world prepared for a life of purpose and service. I believe that such a life begins

Read More
Reunion Eve
sgrainger

As a kid, I loved Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. Perhaps it was because the anticipation on December 24th of Santa Claus and his accompanying magic was

Read More
Friendships: Founded in adolescence and celebrated decades later
sgrainger

I have been told by innumerable TCS alumni, both young and old, that their TCS friends are their best friends. I am sure that our school is not unique in this

Read More
Educational Arbitrage
sgrainger

This week, Mr. Myke Healy touches on the excitement, opportunities and challenges of the rapidly evolving world of generative AI. At TCS since 2004, Mr. Healy

Read More
Happy Birthday TCS!
sgrainger

On May 1, 2023, TCS officially turned 158 years old. The School celebrated its birthday – or Founder’s Day – with a series of fun events including a dodgeball

Read More
Lemons don’t turn themselves into lemonade
sgrainger

According to a recent survey conducted by McKinsey & Company – “How does Gen Z see its place in the working world? With trepidation” (American Opportunity

Read More
Your kids: Past. Present. Future.
sgrainger

A recent summer-like spell of warm weather on campus immediately brought to mind the coming end of term; and, for our graduating students, the end of their

Read More
The power of rugby
sgrainger

This week, Grade 12 student-athletes, Jasmine De Pencier and Malinka Kwemo, share their thoughts on the importance of the girls rugby program at TCS and

Read More
Your kids are travelling at 1,600 km/hr right now…but don’t worry
sgrainger

When you were a kid, did you think that if you jumped up in the air when you were flying in an airplane that you would be thrown backward and hit the back of

Read More
Is it easier or harder to be a kid these days?
sgrainger

Does it not seem to you that the stakes are higher in education and, generally, in everything, everywhere these days? While it might feel that way, I think in

Read More
Are reading, writing and arithmetic being replaced by artificial intelligence?
sgrainger

In a recent New York Times article – “Two-Thirds of Kids Struggle to Read, and We Know How to Fix it” by Nicholas Kristof (February, 11, 2023) – there is data

Read More
When in doubt…
sgrainger

As you know, there has been a seismic shift in the nature of work and workplaces that was triggered by the worldwide pandemic in 2020. In a myriad of

Read More
We the North goes South to Australia
sgrainger

I had the pleasure, last week, of visiting Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. More importantly, I had the pleasure of meeting the people of Sydney and Melbourne

Read More
It’s the little things…
sgrainger

This week, Ms. Jennifer Paziuk shares insight into what student support looks like at the School. At TCS since 1993, Ms. Paziuk is the head of Senior School -

Read More
Apparently adults are allowed to lie but kids are not
sgrainger

If you have been watching the American news over the past couple of months, you may have witnessed the election of the U.S. Representative for New York’s 3rd

Read More
The saddest and happiest days of the year
sgrainger

Thankfully, “Blue Monday,” known as the “saddest day of the year,” is in our rearview mirror. In case you were unaware, this year, for those of us in the

Read More
You've got a friend in me
sgrainger

Twice a year the School publishes its alumni magazine, The TCS News. All members of the TCS community would have received their most recent copy with the cover

Read More
Making Room in the Canon – A question of adding rather than subtracting
sgrainger

This week, Mr. Kristopher Churchill considers the role of literary “classics” in the modern English classroom. At TCS since 2009, Mr. Churchill is the head of

Read More
Ringing in a fresh start
sgrainger

It is customary for my first blog of the calendar year to focus upon themes of resolutions and goal setting. While many students feel they do not have much “

Read More
Oh, What a Year
sgrainger

For a student, parent or educator, the 2022 calendar year started inauspiciously. A January 3, 2022, news headline seemed to capture it all: “Ontario

Read More
The “Capital-T Truth” and the Default Setting to Achieve it
sgrainger

This week, Mr. Brent Hurley considers the value of a liberal arts education, particularly following an unprecedented time in history. At TCS since 2015, Mr.

Read More
Lotteries, Inflation and Education
sgrainger

In 1992, the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released a song entitled, If I Had $1,000,000. In the song lyrics, the writers state that, should they have

Read More
Three Terms of Sport
sgrainger

This week, Ms. Cristy Drake shares some insight into the value of students being involved in three terms of sports in the school year. Ms. Drake has been at

Read More
Chocolate & Grandparents
sgrainger

When I was a little kid, under the age of 10 years old, in the summer months, my parents would fly me and my sister to their hometowns of Birmingham and

Read More
Remembering lives of purpose and service
sgrainger

This week, as we mark Remembrance Day, the School's chaplain Father Don Aitchison shares insights on how TCS honours those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Read More
What’s the most important subject you took in school?
sgrainger

As parents, as we think back to our elementary and high school days, conversations about who was our favourite teacher abound. Was it the teacher who was the

Read More
School Size Matters – Part 3
sgrainger

Part three of a series of three blog posts This is my third and final blog post in the series focussed on TCS’s decision to have a school size of

Read More
School Size Matters – Part 2
sgrainger

Part two of a series of three blog posts In last week’s blog I outlined the size and composition of the TCS student body. In this submission, I explain the

Read More
School Size Matters
sgrainger

Part one of a series of three blog posts In addition to our school’s shared mission, the enrolment and composition of the student body of our school community

Read More
“How are you? What did you do this weekend?”
sgrainger

I hope that whether you are working, retired, on holiday, or with family, that you are regularly asked how you are doing and if you enjoyed your most recent

Read More
May you live in interesting times
sgrainger

The world has changed a great deal over the last three years. It is a most “interesting” time to work in education. And, if you are in education, isn’t the

Read More
Top 10 things about being back at school
sgrainger

We are now more than two weeks into the 2022-2023 academic year, and I am confident that the majority of kids (and their parents!) are delighted to be back at

Read More
That new kid at a new school feeling
sgrainger

This is Trinity College School’s 158th year and my 19th year as head of the School. Three of my own children graduated from this school. So, you could say that

Read More
Leaving the nest
sgrainger

Parents: If you think it is emotionally difficult to have your child attend their first day at a new school and/or begin a new school year, be thankful you are

Read More